From our house, we can take either the south road or the north road to lead to the highway. The north road always has at least some rock or sand on it. The south road is just dirt. And at the corner where it meets our road, it’s dirt in a flood area with lots of trees around it. Meaning that is is often impassible.

But the south road saves me 1.3 miles each way on my drive in to work. So I like to take it when I can.

Lately we’ve had moisture, but since it’s winter, the mud and water on the south road freezes overnight sometimes. Generally I figure that if the mud all over on our own yard is frozen, it’s safe to take the south road.

Last week, our yard was frozen. The mud was solid and there were patches of ice. So I started heading towards the south road. I got to the corner, and there was ice and solid-looking frozen mud. So I went ahead. And promptly fell through the ice and landed in the water — and mud — beneath it.

Not good. I figured I’d try to get out of it. I actually was able to move the car, and got to within 5 feet of the solid ground, but there was just no going past there. So I called a neighbor with a tractor, and called in to work while he made his way over. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to pull our car out from the front, so, due to his location, he had almost a 3-mile tractor drive.

Meanwhile, I worked to get the car as far back as I could. He pulled me out with no problems. I offered to pay, but he wouldn’t accept anything. I stopped at home for a quick change of clothes and shoes (I had hopped out in the mud to try to find any sort of debris or something that could provide better traction), then went in to work — only an hour late.

I got several comments from co-workers. And some “helpful advice” regarding which road I ought to be taking for the next few days. All in good fun, of course.

Terah and I always knew it was just a matter of time before something like this happened.

So, finally, it has. What a relief!

Terah made some buried cherry cookies for me to take over to our neighbors that weekend as a thank-you. He’s been pulling people out of that corner for decades, and from the sound of it, I’m just about the most boring one yet.